Jozef Pilsudski

Jozef Pilsudski (5 December 1867-12 May 1935) was Chief of State of Poland from 14 November 1918 to 11 December 1922 and Prime Minister from 1926 to 1928 and in 1930; Pilsudski held political power in Poland with many titles. Born into a Polonized Lithuanian family, Pilsudski led the Union of Active Struggle underground paramilitary group during the early 20th century, and he led Polish forces serving under Austria-Hungary during World War I. After the war, Pilsudski betrayed the Polish Socialist Party and became an independent dictator, leading Poland as the eminence grise until his death in 1935.

Biography
Before World War I, Jozef Pilsudski ran an underground paramilitary organization opposing Russian rule in Poland. When war broke out, he led volunteer Polish Legions to fight with Austria against Russia. The Poles performed well at Kostiuchnowka in July 1916, but cooperation with the Austrians broke down. Pilsudski was arrested and his Legions disbanded.

Fragile independence
Pilsudski became head of state of an independent Poland after World War I. He then fought a series of wars to establish Poland's borders, the most important against Bolshevik Russia. In April 1920, he invaded Ukraine. The Bolsheviks counterattacked, driving the Poles back to Warsaw. Pilsudski executed an inspired counter-blow, cutting across the Bolshevik lines of communication with a thrust from the south. Some Russian forces were destroyed, the rest withdrew. Pilsudsi resigned as head of state in 1922, but returned to power four years later in a military coup. He remained the effective dictator of Poland until he died.